Finding a TikTok user by phone number is possible, but not directly through TikTok. TikTok does not allow searching for users by phone number on their platform. However, there are some indirect methods that can help track down a TikTok user if you have their phone number.
Why You Can’t Search by Phone Number on TikTok
TikTok does not allow searching for users by phone number for privacy reasons. Phone numbers are considered private personal information, so TikTok limits the ability to search profiles this way to protect user privacy.
When you create a TikTok account, you can add a phone number for verification purposes but this number is not visible on your public profile. TikTok keeps phone numbers private as a security measure.
How to Find Someone’s TikTok with Their Phone Number
While TikTok itself does not allow searching by phone number, there are some indirect methods you can use to try finding someone’s profile if you have their number:
1. Search Other Social Media Platforms
Many people use the same phone number across multiple social media platforms. Search for the phone number on sites like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, YouTube, etc. If you find the person on another platform, check if they have linked to a TikTok account in their bio or posts.
2. Use a Phone Lookup Service
There are online phone directory services and apps like Truecaller that aggregate public phone number records. You may be able to find the person’s name by searching their phone number on these services. If you get their name, search TikTok to see if there’s a matching account.
3. Try Website Searches
Do general web searches for the phone number in quotes, e.g. “123-456-7890 TikTok.” People sometimes publicly post their own phone numbers alongside social media handles. You may find forum posts, comments, bios, etc associating the number with a TikTok username.
4. Look for Phone Verification Posts
Some TikTok users post screenshots showing phone verification codes sent to their number. Search on TikTok and elsewhere for images of texts sent to the phone number you have. The associated account may be visible.
5. Contact Them on WhatsApp or iMessage
If you have the person’s actual mobile number, try messaging them on WhatsApp or Apple iMessage using just their phone number to see if they respond. Tell them you came across their number and ask if they use TikTok.
Limits of Finding Someone by Phone Number
While the methods above may help you uncover a TikTok user by phone number, there are some limitations:
- The person may not link their accounts across platforms, making cross-referencing difficult.
- They may intentionally keep their social media separate from their phone number.
- Their number may be unlisted or inactive on public lookup services.
- They likely will not respond to random messages from an unknown number.
- You still may not be able to confirm a TikTok account even if you identify them.
In most cases, there is no guarantee you’ll be able to definitively tie a phone number to someone’s TikTok profile. Only a direct confirmation from the user can validate the connection.
Is it Legal to Find Someone Using Their Number?
In most countries, it is legal to search for publicly available information linked to a phone number through public directories, search engines, social media sites and aggregated data services. However, there may be privacy restrictions prohibiting publishing or sharing someone’s private data without consent.
Harassing someone or signing them up for unwanted services using their number is illegal. Be ethical in your searching – if they want to be found, they will provide their handle. Don’t abuse phone lookup resources.
When You Should Avoid Searching for Someone by Phone Number
In some cases, you should avoid trying to identify someone by phone number:
- If the number was obtained illegitimately or without consent
- If you were blocked by the user and are trying to circumvent this
- For stalking or harassment purposes
- If you have been asked not to contact them
- To obtain confidential information for malicious reasons
- To send unwanted marketing messages or spam
Overstepping privacy boundaries or ignoring someone’s requests for no contact can be considered harassment or stalking. Only search for public information you have a valid, ethical reason to need.
Protecting Your Own TikTok Profile Privacy
To prevent someone from finding your TikTok account using your phone number, follow these privacy best practices:
- Use a separate email and phone number just for your TikTok account that does not reveal your identity.
- Do not link your TikTok profile to accounts on other platforms that expose your number.
- Keep your TikTok account handle anonymous and unrelated to names or numbers associated with you.
- Toggle your TikTok profile to private so only approved followers can see your content.
- Turn off the option to allow others to find your account using your phone number.
- Do not post screenshots showing verification codes sent to your mobile number.
Setting strong TikTok privacy settings and not associating your account with personal identifiers will help minimize the risk of being found by phone number.
When It’s Okay to Search for a TikTok User by Phone Number
In some cases, there are legitimate reasons to try finding someone’s profile using a phone number, such as:
- To reconnect with old contacts and friends who’ve given you their number in the past
- To collaborate with business partners who’ve contacted you via phone
- To identify contacts you’ve messaged or called but aren’t saved in your phone
- To identify prank callers or anonymous numbers harassing you
- With express consent from the user to connect accounts across platforms
The key is having a valid, ethical reason to associate the number with social media accounts as well as respecting the privacy and wishes of the other person. Avoid searching out of overzealous curiosity, obsession or malice.
Conclusion
Finding a specific user by searching TikTok directly for their phone number is not possible due to privacy restrictions. However, through clever cross-referencing across social platforms, web searches and phone lookup services, it may be possible to indirectly identify someone’s TikTok account if you have their number.
Keep privacy and ethics in mind when attempting to tie any number to someone’s social media presence. And take precautions to protect your own TikTok profile from being found through your phone number.
